Here are some chicago assistance programs.
Ameren Hardship Assistance for Residential Customers
The local community action agencies distribute these program funds based on the hardship experienced by customers with household incomes of up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level. The agencies may award grants of up to $600 per household.
Ameren Residential Bill Payment Assistance
Ameren will provide $300 energy assistance grants to low-income electric customers
Good Samaritan Initiative
Qualified participants can get their service restored by paying 20 percent or $250 of their remaining balance. To qualify, utility customers must have account balances too high to be covered by the state's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, but less than $3,000. The initiative is run by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
ComEd - Rate Relief Program
Residential Hardship Fund: Variable grants of up to $1,000 to offset rate increases for people with special circumstances and hardships. Customers with household incomes up to 400 percent of the poverty level may be eligible if they identify a special hardship issue such as medical expenses, military service, seniors requiring in-home care or grandparents raising minor grandchildren, or a person in the home with a disability. Verification of hardship will be required. Apply at your local LIHEAP administering agency:
www.illinoisliheap.com/community.html
CARE Helping Hand Initiative - Sign up by March 27, 2009
This new program is a one-time offer designed to provide some immediate relief to customers currently facing disconnection. It is open to any ComEd customer who has received a disconnection notice, regardless of household income.
Customers have two plan options: Pay 90 percent of the bill amount owed and ComEd will credit the remaining 10 percent, or pay 25 percent of the amount owed (10 percent if they are heat-related customers) and avoid disconnection by agreeing to a payment plan. The remaining balance can be paid over time without incurring any additional interest charges or fees.
